Inflamed kidneys of NZB/W mice are a major site for the homeostasis of plasma cells

Giuliana Cassese, Steffi Lindenau, Bauke De Boer, Sergio Arce, Anja Hauser, Gabriela Riemekasten, Claudia Berek, Falk Hiepe, Veit Krenn, Andreas Radbruch, Rudolf A. Manz*

*Corresponding author for this work
188 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

(NZB × NZW)F1 (NZB/W) mice develop a disease similar to human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including autoantibody production, hypergammaglobulinaemia and inflammation of the kidneys. It is known that large numbers of lymphocytes infiltrate the kidneys of these mice. Here, we compare the roles of bone marrow, spleen and inflamed kidneys of NZB/W mice in the activation of B cells and the persistence of antibody-secreting cells (ASC). ASC are present in the kidneys of NZB/W mice with full-blown disease, as many as in the spleen and bone marrow. The specificity of the ASC in the inflamed kidneys is not restricted to self-antigens. After immunization of NZB/W mice with ovalbumin (OVA) the OVA-specific ASC are found initially in the spleen. Weeks later, OVA-specific ASC are found in high numbers in the bone marrow and the kidneys of these mice, but no longer in the spleen. As determined by FACS, B cells with a germinal center phenotype (B220+/PNA+) are found only in very low numbers in the kidneys, but in high numbers in the spleen of NZB/W mice. Germinal centers could not be detected in the kidneys, but in the spleen, and plasma cells appear to be scattered over the tissue. These data suggest that in autoimmune NZB/W mice, plasma cells generated in immune reactions of secondary lymphoid organs, later accumulate and persist in the inflamed kidneys, were they enhance the local concentrations of Ab and immunocomplexes. These experiments identify the inflamed kidneys of NZB/W mice as a site of prime relevance for the homeostasis of plasma cells, irrespective of their specificity.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology
Volume31
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)2726-2732
Number of pages7
ISSN0014-2980
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

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